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Guacamole cravings come at a cost

You’ve heard of tennis elbow but now a leading British plastic surgeon has warned about the danger of “avocado hand,” even going so far as to suggest that the fruit should carry warning labels after a significant increase in the number of avocado-related knife injuries.

Simon Eccles, honorary secretary of the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, claimed he treated four patients each week at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for wounds his fellow staff members have taken to calling “avocado hand”.

David Shewring, vice-president of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, stated that the recent coverage of the avocado’s health benefits had led to an increase in its popularity and, consequently, in related injuries. Looking at New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme a staggering 303 avocado lovers lodged claims over three years for injuries relating to cutting the fruit, leading to $87,527 (€55,000) being paid out over that period. Most famously, Meryl Streep had to bandage her hand five years ago, revealing that she had injured herself while cutting an avocado.